The Cardinals-Texans trade proposal sends a $59 million star to Houston

After failing to extend his contract in the offseason, Arizona Cardinals star safety Budda Baker's future is uncertain, which could result in him being traded at the deadline next month. An NFL analyst believes the Houston Texans could be a trade prospect.

Baker is in the final year of his four-year, $59 million contract with Arizona, and if the Cardinals appear to be getting nowhere by the Nov. 5 trade deadline and have no plans to ensure the veteran's safety, he could be moved.

Knowing this, CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin has suggested a trade between the Cardinals and Texans that would bring Baker to Houston in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick.

“At top speed, Baker is arguably one of the best safeties in the NFL,” Benjamin wrote. “However, before this season, he briefly requested a transfer from Arizona while seeking a large raise and missed several games in both 2022 and 2023. Since the Cardinals have struggled on defense and are off to a 2-4 start, his move is “prospects could be improving.” And Houston is dealing with injuries on defense with Jeff Okudah and Jimmie Ward both out on loan for the rest of the season, which could improve the Texans' chances of making a good run.

While Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward are a solid duo, there is no doubt that Baker would still be an upgrade for Houston. He's a six-time Pro Bowler who is great against the run and more than serviceable in coverage.

Baker will be a free agent after this season, but with the Texans opting to do so, a fourth-round pick is a small price to pay for the kind of improvement the Cardinals' safety represents. Plus, the Texans could extend him beyond 2024 if everything works out.

With the Texans making the move now while CJ Stroud's contract is still cheap, a move for Baker makes perfect sense.